“Epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation” or “appearance.”
- In the context of the Church year, Epiphany refers to the appearance of Jesus Christ as the savior of the world—of Israel and the Gentiles.
- So today’s Gospel reading tells that Jesus was revealed to the world at the Jordan River as the Son of God.
Mark 1:7–11 (ESV) 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
John the Baptist tells us even more about who Jesus is
John 1:29 (NLT) 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
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In today’s reading from Acts 10, Peter was called to bring the Light to a group of Gentiles
Acts 10:1–48 (NLT) 22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.”
Cornelius was
- Devout
- God-fearing
- well-respected by the Jews (of good character)
- visited by an angel
We also find out in other places that
- God heard his prayers
- Saw his deeds
But Cornelius still walked in darkness.
34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.
36 “This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
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37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. 38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39 “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, 41 not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
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44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.
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Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
I will make you as a light for the nations,
That my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
– Isaiah 49:6
We are at the beginning of a new year. What kind of year do you wish it to be?
- If you chase after your own comfort and pleasures – you may find them. But what if there is something grander?
- What if you can shine light into someone’s darkness by faithfully sharing about Jesus?
- God has made you a light to nations that his salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
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Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be your Son, and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove: Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, may be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.